A glimpse back in time where chivalry was the code but war was a way of life. The English were marauding across France defending their hard won territories; the Scots king was in an English prison, and small lords were trying to protect their holdings from French and English armies. Thomas of Hookton, an archer and his band were trying to track a religious relic, the sword called Le Malice, to prevent a venal bishop from using is allure and mystique to become pope. Cornwell's historic research and writing mastery create tension and authenticity throughout. An excellent period novel.

Absolutely stunning (I rarely say that), original (also rare) and grabs your gut and your mind and your emotions. Superlatives run out. I REALLY look forward to more books by L. Rosen and featuring that rare sleuth, Poincarre is an Interpol investigator who even excels Holmes, as a detective. Could not put it down...but fell asleep over it at 2 am. The complexity of plot, the international scope of the crimes and of the criminals fascinate and kept me baffled and turning pages. Six stars...oops, not possible...but earned.

An amazing and wholly original book and absolutely engrossing. A must read!!! I'll not forget it! Set in WWII where 2 British pilots go down behind German lines.... Then the whole story goes totally sideways; it is NOT your ordinary war novel, not at all.
Fugitives, trying to hide on a German hospital train - turns out it's a train full of mentally ill SS officers, and that's all I'll say. How to survive? how to endure? to escape? Then part 2 is set in the same city 27 years later. Expect the unexpected. Now read it for yourself!

Alaska figures as a character in Stabenow's Shugak novels, and shapes the people. I suggest reading them from the first, nitty gritty plots and themes and a gutsy heroine, Kate, and not everything fun and flowers, some really hard times too. Over time through the series the characters evolve as is Alaska with changing politics, economy and people.
I read this one in 1 day. What a cliff hanger ending! I only visited Alaska 2 years ago and probably will never have the chance to return. Alaska is an AWESOME place, and the climate and ecology and natural wonders would take months to skim the surface; we had just 10 days. Stabenow's books are the next best thing.
Evidently a company had taken an option to produce a K. S. Alaska PI series, but dropped the option in May. So... we'll have to read the books. REALLY hope there is another in the works!!!

In this book 24, the series continues with familiar characters facing and bringing down evil doers. It gets dicey as there are those who simply want to blow up other people, and others who are soulless cons who prey on frantic parents seeking cures for their very ill children. We know Butch and Marlene will deal with the bad guys...but it's not always easy to see how. Another quality read from Tananbaum. When's the next one out?

There are a lot of thriller books out there but none with quite the intensity of Montanari's homicide detective duo, Byrne and Balzanno from Philly. Then they encounter a psychotic serial killer (again) who is a magician and focused on illusion and misdirection to continue murdering teen aged runaways whom he lures into his web as a spider would a fly. Badlands provides an engrossing and absorbing glimpse into the details of detectives' daily dedication to duty!! and personal details about the driven characters personalities to make one wish the next novel were right here right now! Also, being from PA, a number of years ago, I like reading about Philly, even the dirty details of disturbed minds. A very taught and entertaining read.

I REALLY liked this book, action packed, a Buddhist policeman in BKK working out the dichotomy of being of mixed parentage, and of working for a conniving and clever supervisor while maintaining his Buddhist convictions. Glimpsed into the steamier side of police work in a big city and of Thailand in particular. A great read. This is the first in a series and I am very impatient for the next ones.

Harry is a superb investigator who happens to be an alcoholic and sometimes his demon gets out of the bottle but Harry is not cowed too long. I waited a while to get this book, as Jo Nesbo's books are hard to come by and this one was so worth it. Harry has been sent down under by his bosses who need to get him out of the way but he is tough to fire as he's a top notch case cracker BUT so difficult when his demon is loose. This case is to tidy up the death of a young Norweigan woman in Australia, but it's VERY complicated. I appreciated the glimpse into the Aboriginal/whte relations, the glimpses at Sydney's bar scene and tourist spots, and most of all watching Harry peel the onion like layers of this case.

Amidst the lavishness of an Alaskan cruise, a Seattle homicide detective escorting his elderly relatives finds himself mistaken for an FBI agent of similar name, as people disappear and far too many suspects with multiple motives insist someone else is the culprit and demand answers NOW.

Meyer's thrillers are every bit as taught and complex as Les Child's with even better characterization. His books incorporate the tangled politics and history which are part of every character's life past and present. The missing man has enemies who don't want him found, and those very men will do anything to stop Emma and Lemmer from finding him. Why don't they want him found? Why is he afraid to be found? Read and find out. Can't put it down.

This is a readable and, above all, useful book full of photographs depicting exercises to improve agility and coordination, and grace and range of motion. In addition there is an interesting section on nutrition and some tasty looking recipes. From beginner level to advanced level, the movements and exercises build your skills gradually without pain. Its fun too.

An excellent book which ties together two stories of the Southwest cultures of then and now: the 800 year old Anasazi tribal and religious warfare that tore families apart is woven into the modern story of family discord and murder. The archaeological detail is fascinating, and the characters are poignant and tough and enduring as the mysteries are solved. And it was over 650 pages which kept me guessing the whole way!

Frontpage: "Clint Adams was a legend among outlaws, lawmen...and ladies. They called him...the Gunsmith."
Back Cover: "When someone begins killing young 'ladies of the night,' it's bad for business.... The Gunsmith has a score to settle with the cutthroat, and has a town full of suspects...."

A compelling and well written book, intriguing both for its view of the brain in light of the computer revolution, and for it attempted revision of certain Freudian notions about the mind- NYT Book Review
research...remarkable reconciliation between two often contradictory disciplines, neuroscience and pshychoanalysis....unlikely agreement with Freud's fundamental ideas-Jacket review, Newsweek

Non stop tension and wonderfully complex plot with Joe front and center and the high ruggeed Wyoming mountains playing a huge role also. Could not put it down. Barely stopped for meals. And a WOW ending. Sorry no details as I don't want to spoil your anticipation.

A real challenge for Poke, as his family is threatened as he exposes the underbelly of powerful brokers in Bangkok. Non stop twists and turns, literarily and literally through the steets and sois of BKK. A GREAT read.

James, James Bond, is back but updated to thwart modern villains, with his bag of tricks from Q and his Carte Blanche to deal with threats to the realm as needed. Fine wine, fast cars, elegant women, espionage and danger...all excellent Bond hallmarks to enjoy with Deaver's deft handling of the hero developed by Ian Fleming. I thoroughly enjoyed Bond's newest adventure, with a promise of more to come. This international adventure starts with a train wreck in Serbia, picks up the pace in London and Dubai, and REALLY gets tense in South Africa. I appreciated how Deaver wove in bits of local culture and local history to explain his local allies and foes that enriched Bond's action and danger within each country.

Tense and intriguing. Forensic science and detective work involving dedicated people and criminals in Knoxville and the Tennessee mountains of East TN among rednecks, clans and generations long feuds. The professor in charge of the body farm gets called out to find a mummified woman in a cave, and then things get complicated... when the lawmen in the hills are involved in lies and cover up, and more bodies appear and evidence is stolen. A very interesting book, taut writing and good character development, can't wait till the next one.